Spring cushion construction



Dec. 9, 1941. c. s. REED 2,265,251

SPRING CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed April 4, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet l V Clair5, Reed -g vm g f Dec. 9, 1941.. c, s. REED srnmecnsnxon consmucnouFiled April 4,- 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Clair 5. Reed Dec. 1941- c. s.REED 2,265,251.

SPRING CUSHION CONSTRUCTION 'Filed April 4, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi7.ll

gwua/wbom Clair 5. Reed Dec. 9, 1941 c. s. REED- 2,265,251

SPRINGFCUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed April 4. 1938 '1 Sheets-Sheet 5 v1941- Cis. REED 2,265,251

SPRING' CUSHION CONSTRUCTION I Filed April 4, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ammoLo n I Cila ir SQ/Feea w, 247% 1941- c. s. REED 2,265,251

SPRING'YCUSHION consmucwron Filed April 4', 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 swambob C/air 5. Reed Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICESPRING CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Clair S. Reed, Jackson, Mich assignor toReyna olds Spring Company, Jackson, Micln, a corporation of DelawareApplication April 4, 1938, Serial No. 199,887

7 Claims. (m ss-119) cushion should be yielding so as to possess a softfeeling, yet sufliciently resistant to extreme de- 10 flection as toavoid striking bottom due to road, shock. Toaiford adequate head room inthe automobile it is desirable that the seat cushion have the appearanceand feeling of considerable depth;

yet be of minimum thickness. In this respect commercial practices up tothe present invention have been of a compromising nature. The matter ofcost has prevented the use of soft coil springs superimposed uponstiffer coil springs for obtaining a soft upper stratum and a lowerweight supporting and shock resisting stratum. Also, in all commercialconstructions of which I have knowledge the supporting frames for thecushions have presented a bottom encounterable upon extreme deflectionor depression of the cushions. In an effort to obtain greater ridingcomfort with the conventional type of spring cushions the depth of thespring structure and the overhang for leg support and appearance hascreated a trimming problem which compels ac- 3o tual distortion ofthespring structure in-order to obtain the desired contours, which for themost part are of a fugitive nature due to the breakdown action normaluse has upon the spring and frame structural elements of conventionalcushions used in automobiles. v l

In the patented art appear numerous suggestions ofcushion springconstructions which embody some of the elements appearing in thecombinations of the present invention. For the most part, thesesuggestions have as their main object a reduction in the cost ofconstruction through the elimination of coil springs. In most cases theattempt to securesuch a' result has been mad through the use of springsin the form of flattened loops.

According to the present inventipn in its pre-i ferred form, I associateboth loop and compression spring elements in a novel manner, providing acushion which'is a substantial improvem ent over constructions now inuse. The cushion is thin, eas'y'to trim, possesses excellent ridingqualities and feel, and may be termed asoffering a bottomless support.Also illustrated are numerous other forms of the invention in which onlyloop springs are utilized in the cushion construction. However, wherethis type of spring is being used alone I have overcome certainlimitations present in similar constructions in the patented art througha novel spring construction and support. Other features of the inventionpertain to ventilation of the-cushion and the manner in which the seatand back cushions are adaptable to sheet metal and tubular framestructures.

.To specifically enumerate the various objects of the present invention,one of the objects is to provide a cushion construction embodying loopand compression springs associated in a manner producing relatively thincushions of improved supporting qualities.

Another object is to provide seat and back spring structures forcushions in vehicles, which because of their construction enable thesame to be directly supported upon a skeleton seat frame and in a mannermaking possible a reduction in weight as well as affording improvedventilation.

A further object resides in providing a spring cushion structure whichmay be readily trimmed without distortion, affords adequate support tothe trim, and maintains its original untrimmed contour even afterextensive service.

A still further object resides in a spring cushion constituted as itsown supporting frame structure, in which tacking strips have beeneliminated and the trim secured in a novel manner.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention residing in thearrangement, construction and combination of parts too numerous to bespecifically mentioned in the foregoing stated objects will appear fromconsideration of the following detailed description and the appendedclaims. 7 g

In the drawings. wherein a large number of various forms of. theinvention are illustrated in order that the invention may be clearlyunderstood and the contemplated broad scope of the invention moreclearly appreciated.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a seat frame embodying cushionsconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of' a portion of the seatcushion and frame shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the seat frame and seatcushion shown in broken section in Fig. 1,

Fig; 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seat and back cushionsassociated in the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 1.

a removed, as shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the back cushion springstructure with the trim Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the springstructure of the seat cushion with the trim removed, as shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a broken cross-sectional view taken on line VIIIVIII of Fig.6,

Figs. 9, 10- and 11 are fragmentary plan views of modified forms of thestay structure for the transverse loop springs of the spring structure,

Fig. 12 i a fragmentary plan ,view of another form of arrangement oftheloop and compression spring elements,

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 6 and 9 showing a spring embodyingonly loop transverse p ngs,

Fig. 14 is an end view of the construction of Fig. 6 as viewed from theright,

Figs. 15 and 16 are side and plan views, respectively, of the transverseloop spring element 'of the construction shown in Fig. 7,

Figs. 17 and 18 are side and plan views, respectively, of a modifiedform of transverse loop spring element,

Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are side elevational views of variousforms of loop spring ele ments particularly designed for seat cushions,

Fig. 25 is a side elevational view of the transverse loop spring elementof the back cushion shown in Fig. 4,

Figs. 26 and 27 are side elevational and plan views, respectively, of amodified type of loop spring element similar to that of Fig. 5 to beused in the back cushion of Fig. l, and

Figs. 28 and 29 are fragmentary side and plan views, respectively, of acombined 100p and compression spring, making up a transverse springelement.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig; 1 is shown in side elevation thefront seat of an automobile embodying the present invention. It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention has equal application to rearseats aswell. As illustrated, the seat frame comprises a stamped sheetmetal base 10 having openwork panels l2 at the front and side toenableair to circulate into the interior. The central upper portion of thebase I8 is preferably entirely open,,with the.

as more clearly shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 25, comprises a plurality ofmain loop springs 24 each taking the shape of a relatively flat,elongated, cldsed loop of heat treated spring wire. The front'and backcentral portions 64 and 66 of the springs 24 are preferably undulated inthe plane of the supporting surface of the cushion so as to permitdeflection without longitudinal shortening, as well as servingto spacethe coil springs 38 and afford support to the padding and trim. The endsof the spring structure are furnished through the employment of springs82. 84'and 36, which are generally similar to the springs 24. Thesesprings have offsets 38 which permit securing the springs in spacedrelation through suitable clips 48. For providing' the desired contourto the cushion when trimmed or upholstered, each outside spring 36 isshown with straight front and back portions 42 and 44 merging into areturn bend 46 which is curved inwardly and clipped at 48 to the spring34 so as to give a rounded comer when trimmed; I

The spacing of the transverse loop springs 24, 32, 34 and 36 is shown to'be accomplished through border wires 58, 52 and 54 and a tacking framemember 56 all running longitudinally of the cushion spring structure.For securing the wires 50, 52and 54 to the transverse springs, the sameare formed with offset-right angular portions, which are embraced,together with the transverse' springs, by clips 58. The tacking framemember 56 may be of any well known construction, being preferably of afibre filled sheet metal channel with an exposed outer face.

Holes are punched along the member 56 to re--.

ceive fasteners 60,- which embrace the loop springs and hold the springsand member 56 in assembled spaced relationby having their ends 62 bentover.

The spring elements 24 are preferably spaced apart a distance slightlyin excess of the largest diameter of the terminal coils of the springs30, the coils 38 being illustrated as of a fabric covered Marshall type.However, other types may be used in lieu thereof, such as cone shape,hour glass shape, etc.' As more clearly shown in Fig. 25, theelement 24has afront section 64 and a rear section 66, the latter being offset at68 to accommodate the bar l8. To provide softness along the lower edgeof the back cushion 22, return bend portions .18 and 12 are provided,the latter having a loop I4. Likewise, for providing softness at the topof the cushion, a loop 16 is provided. Preferably the spring elements 24are fabricated from a continuous strand of steel wire.with the endsjoined by clips 18.

After being shaped as shown in Fig. 25, the

- spring 24' is then heat treated. As will be understood from Figs. 4and 5, the springs30' are suspended from the portions 64 and 66 of thespring elements 24 by hog rings 88 embracing.

the terminal convolutions of the coil springs 38, Upon deflection of theportions 64 of the spring elements 24, the coils 38 will be compressed.As the resistance 'of the coils 30 to compression is built up,deflection of the portions 66 will take place. Obviously, the portions66 can only deflect between their points of support, namely, between theoffset 68 supported by the bar I 8 and the tackingframe 56, which issupported at its ends on the leg portions 20 of the bar Hi. Thisarrangement gives what may be characbar I8 is located well below the top84 of the cushion 22, which is a safety feature, as it provides a .softresilient top against which a passenger in the rear seat of the vehiclemay be thrown in the event of sudden stoppagewithout serious injury. ,Toprovide a supporting surface for the upholstery along the top 84 of thecushion 22 a mat of mattress wire 88 is anchored along its front edge toa wire 88 and carried over the top of the cushion and hog ringed to thewire 52 along its back edge. The upholstery 88 is shown covering apadded front surface of the cushion 22, as well as the rear surface,with the opposite ends tacked to the tacking strip 56. The springs 32,34 and 36 are of substantially the same construction as the springelements 24, with the exception of the offsets 38 and the the fact thatthe springs 34 and 36 do not have the loop I6 at the top of the cushion.

Referring to Figs. 1-4 and 6-8 of the drawings, the seat cushion is ofthe same general construction as the back cushion 22. The springstructure comprises transverse loop spring elements 90 having upper andlower'portions 92 and 94 preferably undulated in the plane of thesupporting surface of the cushion, between which are suspended fabricencased coil springs 96 corresponding to the springs 30. At oppositeends of the spring structure (see Figs. 1 and 6) is a pair of springelements 98 and I of the same general construction as the springs.90. Toseparate the springs I00 from the outside springs 98 the former areprovided with offsets I02 in the upper and lower portions, which aresecured to the springs 98 by suitable clips I04. The upper transverseportions of the springs 98 and I00 have central loops I05 to increasethe resiliency 4 thereof. Preferably, these springs are of greaterlength than the main springs 90 so as to provide wings or extensions I06which extend the side of the-upholstered cushion I6 "to a flush positionwith the' rear of the back cushion 22, as best seen in Fig. 1. Toround'the corners of the cushion l6 prior to heat treatment, thesemicircular front portions I08 of the springs 96 are deflected inwardlyinto an arc and clipped to the springs I00 at H0 in the manner of thereturn bent portions 46 of the cushion 22.

Upper and lower border and spacing wires II2 corresponding to the wires50, 52 and 54 are 'used at the front and rear of the spring struc- Thesewires have longifront portion I28 of the springs 90 (see Figs"! and 14)One satisfactory manner of securing the trim to the spring structure andfor securing the seat cushion I6. to the seat frame IJLtakes the form oflongitudinal wires I30 and I 32, to which the upholstery is hog ringedor otherwise suitably fastened, as shown in Fig. 4. The hog rings I34are shown as piercing the upholstery and are suitably spaced along andembrace the wires I30 and I32, which arrangement has been found to bequite satisfactory, as the hog rings may be readily applied and removedas required. To fasten the seat cushion I6 to the frame I0 a suitablenumber of clamp bolts I36 are provided along the supporting flange I4and enga e over the wires I30 and I32 to remFvablv fasten the cushion I6in place. If found desirable for added support, one or more coil springsI49 may be positioned between the upper and lower portion of the endsprings 98 and I00. This is likewise true with respect to the endsprings 34 and 36 in the cushion 22.

With particular attention to Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the springstructure of the cushion I6 is solely supported by the support afiordedits outer edge portions by the continuous flange I4.

As a result, the entire central portion of the spring structure is freeto deflect into the open base I0. This arrangement not only gives what Ihave chosen to call a bottomless seat but it also permits the freecirculation of air into the ported base I0 and into the interior of thespring structure of the seat cushion I6.

, Another desirable characteristic of the spring structure of thecushions I6 and 22 resides in the fact that the spring structure is ofthe same contour and dimensions before and after trimming. Also, ofequal importance is the fact that the spring structure made up from thetransverse loop springs and the compression coil springs, together withthe longitudinal spacing elements, constitutes its own supporting framestructure and does not require any auxiliary frame structure, as hasbeen the practice 'heretofore in automobile cushions. For example, aswill be clear from Fig. 6, the coil springs 96 tie adjacent portions 92and 94 together by being hog ringed at I42 to each other. Theundulations in the adjacent springs 92 and 94 are preferably in opposedrelation so that by placing the hog rings at the apexes, shifting ofthe'springs 24 and 90 is obviated.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are shown several modified forms of the invention,in which the springs corresponding to the coilsprings 30 and 96 havebeen omitted from the spring structure and other means provided fortying the transverse loop springs together and affording adequatesupport to the padding. The construction of Fig. 9 is substantially thatof Fig. 6 with'the coil springs 96 and I40 omitted. In lieu thereofclose wound helical springs I44 connected at opposite ends have beenused to provide a supporting surface for the padding in the plane of theupper portions 92 of the springs 90. The springs I44 also function tocontrol the action of the portions 92 and tie the same into a moreunitary supporting framework. As shown, the springs I44 are onlyassociated with the upper portions 92 of the springs 90. It isanticipated, however, that it might be desirable in some cases tosimilarly associate the springs I44 with the lower portions 94,particularly where the spring structure is relatively thin, so that theportions 92 will be defiected in normal use to the point of engagementwith the portions 94. With such an arrangement, a suitable pad or thelike would be inserted between the portions 92 and 94 to eliminatenoise. In the modification of Fig. 10 the mat. I26 of mattress wire ofFig. 6 has been extended over the upper surface of the spring structureto provide a mat I46. As in the case of the mat I26,

the mat I46 is preferably woven from spring wire to impart resiliency tothe structure. Control is afforded the portions 92 of the springs by hogringing the same at I48 to the mat I46. Additional hog rings I50 supportthe mat I46 on the spring structure. The mat I46 supports the padding,spaces the spring portions 92', and because of the fact that it is wovenfrom spring wire affords substantial resilient support to the springstructure. The springs I52 of Fig. 11 correspond to the springs exceptfor a slightly modified shape of undulation. which is particularlyadaptable to the arrangement of the closely wound helical springs I54.The springs I54 correspond to and serve a function similar to thesprings I44 of Fig. 9.

In Fig. 12 springs 90 are shown spaced by and suspended from hour glassshaped coil springs I56 of well known construction in lieu of thecovered coil type 30 and 96.

In Fig. 13 the spring structure of Fig. 9 is shown without the springsI44. Such a construction may be used where an extremely inexpensive seatis desired. Burlap and the like may be used to support the padding uponthe upper portions of the spring 90. Also a suitable elongated paddingI56, as indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 15, may be inserted betweenthe upper and lower portions 92 and 84 of the springs 90 to eliminatenoise that may be caused by these portions contacting each other uponextreme deflection of the portions 92. The padding will also function ina manner similar to the springs 30 and 96 in that a supporting load onthe portions 92 upon deflection would be transmitted to the portions 94as the padding is compressed. Such a pad may be like thatdisclosed incopending application Serial No. 206,565, filed May 7, 1938, by

adapted to the seat cushion. In Fig. 1'1 loops I58 and I60 are provided.at the front and rear to soften the front and rear portions of thespring element. As more-clearly shown in Fig. 18, the upper and'lowerundulated portions I62 and I66 of thespring elements I68 are out ofphase with one another so that the lower portions I66 will offer 'a morereliable foundation for the absorption of a portion of the supportedload upon substantial deflection of the upper portions I62. Forincreasing the pliability and regulating the feel and degree of supportafforded to the occupant, numerous loops and return bends may beincorporated into the fabrication of the tension spring element. In Fig.19 loops I10 and I12 are formed in the upper and lower portions I14 andI16. The number and location of these loops may be varied depending uponwhat results are desired. In Fig. 20 the loop I18 is located in thecorner of the spring element, while the loop I80 is elongated to projectthe hinge point. further inwardly than the loop I58, for example, ofFig. 17. With the same gauge wire the loop I80 wouldprovidea softerfront' portion than the loop I58. A departure from the closed transverseloop spring is shown in Fig. 21, in which the spring element I82 has itsends I84 and I86 secured to a support upon a relatively rigid compositesheet metal and fibre tacking frame with'a crimping flange I88. Anenlarged loop I90 is provided at the front of the spring element, whichproduces a more yielding Such a front construction affords support forthe padding and a possible elimination of the mat I26 of Fig. 6. Alongsomewhat similar lines is a modification of Fig. 24, in which thecompression spring portion I96 has been coiled as an integral toconstruct the spring structure of the back.

cushion 22. Integral with the portions 202 and 204 are top and bottomportions 206 and 208 of the same general zig-zag construction as thefront portion I94 of Fig. 23. Inthis-manner a pliable back and loweredge of the back cushion may be obtained. As should be readilyappreciated, the length and .sharpness of bend of the zig-zag portionmay be varied to increase or decrease the pliability with the same gaugewire.

In lieu of coiling the spring I96 integrally with the loop springportions I98 and-200, the coil springs 2III (see 1igs.'28 and 29) may beseparately coiled and the ends 2I2 and 2 of the loop spring portions 2I6and 2I8 suitably clipped to the upper and .lower convolutions.

The foregoing description has treated separately the spring structuresof the seat cushion I6 and the back cushion 22, including the nu- Ymerous modified forms of the spring elements front with the same gaugewire and a more reof the loop spring element for use in the seat cushionI6 .is shown in Fig. 23. The front portion I84 has been softened andrendered more pliable by zig-zagging the wire back and forth.

thereof. This has been done more as a matter of convenience than for anyother reason and in view of the fact that the spring structure of eachcushion is of substantially the same general construction and in somecases may be substantially identical as well as being interchangeable.Moreover, in the numerous forms -of the invention illustrated, variousways are shown for securing the desired characteristics of support,pliability, resiliency, etc. In some forms of the invention twodifferent methods are used in a single spring element, as, for example,in Fig. 24 a loop has been used at one end and an integral coil springused at the other end of the loop spring element. Obviously, gauge ofwire, support required and other variables enter into the design of thecushion construction and will result in combinations being selectedother than those illustrated. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limitedto the specific-constructions shown but desire to claim the novelfeatures of the invention as broadly as they are defined in the annexedclaims.

I claim:

1-. A spring structure designed to be upholstered comprising a marginalseat frame having a generally open central portion, aplurality oftransversely extending longitudinally spaced springs formed fromresilient wire and generally shaped as elongated fiat loops with thefiat sides thereof defining the upper and lower surfaces of the springstructure, longitudinally extending spacing members secured to saidsprings along the longitudinal edges of the. spring structure, coilsprings extending between the flattened sides of said loops, theterminal convolutions of said coil springs being disposed in the planesof said flattened sides, and means clipping the adjacent flattened sidesto said terminal convolutions. whereby said transverse springs arespaced in said spring structure and all of said springs tied togetherinto a unit, said first named sprin s being supported adjacent the endsthereof by said marginal frame.

2. A spring structure designed to be' upholstered comprising a marginalseat frame, a plurality of spaced springs formed from resilient 3. Thecombination with a seat frame havin a marginal supporting surface for aseat cushion and a generally open central portion bridged by thecushion, of an upholstered cushion spring structure having marginalsupport upon said seat frame supporting surface, said spring structurecomprising a plurality of spaced upright springs formed from resilientwire and generally shaped as elongated flattened loops with the upperand lower flattened sides thereof deflning the upper and lower surfacesof the spring structure, said springs being supported adjacent theirends in said frame, means for spacing and supporting said springs intheir upright position so as to provide a self-contained springstructure, and resilient supporting means interposed between saidflattened sides for transferring a portion of the load to the lowerflattened sides; deflecting the same between the points of marginalsupport of the springs upon deflection of said upper sides.

'4. The combination with a seat frame havin a marginal supportingsurface for a seat cushion and a generally open central portion bridgedby said cushion, of an upholstered spring structure adapted to bedirectly supported upon said seat frame, said cushion having marginalsupport with said seat frame supporting surface, the central portion ofsaid spring structure bridgin the open central portion of said seatframe. a plurality of spaced spring members comprising spaced upper andlower resilient spring wire portions disposed in planes generallyparallel to the supporting surface of the cushion, said lower portionsbridgin the central opening in said seat frame and having marginalsupport-upon said seat frame, and means interposed between said upperand lower portions for resiliently supporting a portion of the supportedload upon said upper portions upon deflection of the latter andfunctioning to transmit a portion of Said load to saidlower membersto'deflectthe sameinto the 5. The combination with a seat frame having amarginal supporting surface and a central opening into which thecushionlspring structure may be deflected, of 'a relatively thinupholstered cushion spring structure having marginal support upon thesupporting surface of said seat frame with the central portion of saidcushion spring structure bridging the central opening of said seatframe, said cushion spring structure comprising upper and lower springelements deflning the supporting surfaces thereof, said lower elementshaving marginal support upon said seat frame, and means interposedbetween said upper and lower elements for transferring a deflecting loadfrom said upper elements to said lower elements, whereby the latter aredeflected by said load into the central opening of said frame.

6. The combination with a seat frame having a marginal supportingsurface for a seat cushion and a generally open central portion bridgedby said cushion into which said cushion may defleet, of an upholsteredcushion spring structure having marginal support upon said seat framesupporting surface, said spring structure comprising a plurality oftransversely extending elongated spring elements in the form offlattened loops of substantiallength, the flattened sides of said springelements being undulated in a surface gerierally parallel to thesupporting surface of the cushion spring structure, longitudinallyextending spacing and bracing wires for said.

spring elements tying the same into a unitary self-supporting structure,and coiled compression springs having the terminal convolutions thereofdisposed in the planes of said flattened sides, and means clipping saidconvolutions between opposed undulations of said sides.

I. The combination with a seat frame having a marginal supportingsurface for a seat cushion and a generally open central portion bridgedby I spring elements in the form offlattened loops,

of substantial length, the flattened sides of said spring elements beingin a surface generally parallel tothe supporting surface of the cushionspring structure, longitudinally extending spacing and bracing wires forsaid spring elements tying the same into a unitary self-supportingstructure, and coiled compression springs having the terminalconvolutions thereof disposed in the planes of said flattened sides, andmeans clipping said convolutions to said sides.

, CLAIR S. REED.

